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Green China - News & Current Affairs for December 2011
GREEN CHINA
Photo from the book 'Green China' by Heather Angel which you can order here
The New Sputnik
Most people would assume that 20 years from now when historians look back at 2008-09, they will conclude that the most important thing to happen in this period was the Great Recession. I’d hold off on that. If we can continue stumbling out of this economic crisis, I believe future historians may well conclude that the most important thing to happen in the last 18 months was that Red China decided to become Green China NYT 28/9/09.
So while America’s Republicans turned “climate change” into a four-letter word — J-O-K-E — China’s Communists also turned it into a four-letter word — J-O-B-S. NYT 21/9/2010
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China Daily
China issues white paper on addressing climate change [ Full Text ]
BEIJING, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government on Tuesday issued a white paper on its policies and actions for addressing climate change, highlighting a range of major policy measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its remarkable results during the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010) period.
XinHua News
China Int'l Environmental Protection Expo opens in Jiangsu
NANJING, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 2011 China International Environmental Protection Expo opened in east China's Jiangsu Province Friday, attracting more than 240 enterprises from home and abroad.
The most advanced environmental protection technology and products from around the world will be showcased at the expo held in the provincial capital of Nanjing.
China will invest a total of 3 trillion yuan (470 billion U.S.dollars) in its environmental protection industry during the country's 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015).
China Daily
Beijing blackout as air quality is unmasked
They say a picture speaks a thousand words. This is a photo of China's capital taken from the exact same spot over the last four days. The combination image, taken from Dec 2 to 5, captures staggering changes in the air quality in Beijing. The photos show the visibility in the area ranging from Central Business District in Chaoyang District to Communication University of China. A photographer consecutively took photos at this same place for two weeks from Nov 22 to Dec 5 to record the "fog" in this area. The recent frequent "fog" blanketing Beijing has spurred the public to call for a revamp of the air pollution regulations in China, in particular the decision to monitor levels of ultra-fine particles known as particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) which is deemed by some experts as the major cause of the choking smog.
Caixin Online 23/12/2011
- Germany's Wind Market Only a Puff for Chinese
- Offshore wind power is a booming business in Germany, but not for Chinese turbine makers and related companies
People's Daily 21/12/2011
Li calls for green drive to improve economy
BEIJING - A balance between development and the environment is essential, Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.
"Providing basic environmental quality for its people is an essential public service for any government. It is necessary to improve the quality of life and provide a favorable environment with clear water, blue skies and uncontaminated soil," Li told a national conference on environmental protection in Beijing which was attended by provincial governors and ministers.
Global Times 14/12/2011
Canada withdrawal foretells chaotic future
Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent declared on Monday that his country will formally withdraw from the Kyoto Protocol. This decision has drawn criticism and is perceived as a step backward from the achievements of the Durban climate conference.
Canada is one of the richest countries in the world. Its natural resources per capita are also among the highest. Yet it has failed to honor its committed emissions target. Staying in the Protocol would force the country to pay a $14 billion fine which drove it to quit.
Western countries have not enjoyed good reputations in curbing their emissions. Despite their lofty slogan of saving the earth, Western countries prioritize their own interests much more than cooperation. The US, for instance, is still outside the Protocol. The climate change campaign was initiated by those developed countries, but it seems that they are quite at ease with the contradiction between their big words and their selfish actions.
Can international relationships become more civilized? Can humankind put aside individual interests for the larger good of the world? The outcome of the climate change campaign will provide answers to these questions. Canada's decision has warned us not to get too optimistic, as it has revealed the bitter truth that morality is still powerless to overcome selfishness in policymaking.
People's Daily 13/12/2011
China shows sincerity at Durban Conference
The 17th Conference of Contracting Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which closed on Dec. 9, focused on the issue of how developed countries should prolong the Kyoto Protocol and fulfill their emissions reduction duties.
Environmental tax gets approval
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has approved an environmental tax and officials are now allowing the proposal to undergo scientific debate and evaluation, the Legal Mirror reported.
The tax will be levied on carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, wastewater and solid waste. The petroleum and petro-chemical industries that consume high amounts of energy will be the main targets, the Beijing-based newspaper reported on Saturday.
Caixin Online 13/12/2011
- China's Solar Sector Sees Sunrise with Sunset
- Risks abound for Chinese solar manufacturers as world demand softens, but the big companies are still expanding
China Daily 13/12/2011
Beijing Environment Official: City Air Faces ‘Crisis’
Beijing is facing its third air-pollution “crisis” of recent years and needs to crank up its efforts to cut emissions, a city environmental official said Monday, acknowledging a big metaphorical cloud hanging over the city.
CCTV 12/12/2011
Global Times 12/12/2011
Durban shows West's two-tiered worldview
A deal has finally been struck in Durban at the end of grueling talks. The EU has signed up to a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol along with several other developed countries, while the world has agreed to set up a Green Climate Fund to help poor countries struggling with climate change.
However, developed countries were a disappointment over the course of the conference. Their behavior proved that the world is still dominated by selfish interests.
Instead of shouldering their responsibilities, developed countries have poured more efforts into shifting the blame.
In the past, they either accused China of ruining previous climate talks, or used the country as an excuse for not cutting their emissions. Their argument is that China is no longer a developing state. As one of the biggest emitters, it must have a compulsory emission target similar to its developed counterparts. But without the right technologies in place, answering this demand will bring considerable damage to China's development.
In fact, developed countries are well aware that China still belongs to the developing world. A decent life is still a dream for a larger number of ordinary people. Some even find life difficult. Shabby cities and dirty streets are familiar descriptions of China in foreign media.
XinHua News 12/12/2011
Chinese delegation hails progress made at Durban climate conference
DURBAN, South Africa, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese delegation said here Sunday that the just-concluded United Nations climate change conference produced "progressive and balanced outcome."
After 14 days of gruelling talks, the conference passed a package of decisions on such subjects as the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, the Green Climate Fund and a new process to arrange emission-cutting pledges after 2020.
Xie Zhenhua, head of the Chinese delegation, told Xinhua that the outcome is fully in accordance with the mandate of the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Bali Roadmap.
People's Daily 9/12/2011
Beijing raises fuel standards
Beijing intends to improve fuel quality, especially by reducing the sulfur content in gasoline.
Residents are happy to see the reductions in automobile exhaust emissions, a big source of air pollution, but they are also concerned about rises in gasoline prices.
The Beijing Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision (BBQTS) launched a draft regulation of new standards applying to gasoline and diesel in the city on its official website Wednesday, and asked the public to submit opinions by January 7.
The New York Times 8/12/2011
At Climate Talks, a Familiar Standoff Emerges Between the U.S. and China
China’s conditions for a treaty are unlikely to be met. And conditions by the United States seem to rule out any deal like the one China envisions.
The Wall Street Journal 7/12/2011
A Consumption Conundrum
China must find greener ways to fuel its insatiable hunger for energy
When China surpassed the U.S. to become the world's biggest energy consumer last year, the data confirmed what many Chinese living with frequent power cuts had already guessed: China's hunger for energy is simply unsustainable.
Kaixin OpEd - You will probably find they are willing to, in conjunction with the 'west', which has enjoyed unbridled pillage of the world's resources since the industrial revolution. Glasshouses, stones come to mind.
Nuclear Restart Ahead
Westinghouse Expects New Talks With China About Reactor Deals
BEIJING—Westinghouse Electric Co. says it expects to restart negotiations with China early next year to further deploy its latest-model nuclear reactor, nine months after talks were mothballed when Japan's Fukushima Daiichi disaster raised widespread safety concerns in China.
CCTV 7/12/2011
China Daily 6/12/2011
Flexibility at Durban gives hope
DURBAN, South Africa - China's openness toward a legally binding climate deal that would come into effect after 2020 has given a boost to the ongoing climate change talks in Durban.
Experts said the flexibility that China showed is encouraging, but it's also important to pressure developed countries for much deeper emission reduction targets.
"China is willing to shoulder responsibilities in line with its development and capability as long as the legal framework after 2020 will comply with the principles of 'common but differentiated' responsibilities," Xie Zhenhua, China's top climate negotiator, said on the sidelines of the Durban meeting.
He laid out five preconditions of such a legal framework, including an extension of the Kyoto Protocol and actions by developed countries to help developing countries adapt to climate change.
People's Daily 6/12/2011
China sets conditions on binding climate change commitment after 2020
DURBAN, South Africa, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- China will agree to participate in a legally binding treaty on climate change after 2020 under certain conditions, a senior Chinese official said here Monday.
China is still a developing country, and other countries should respect a founding principle of the existing agreements that recognizes wealthy nations must do more since they are responsible for most of the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change, said Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission of China.
"I think after 2020, we should also negotiate a legally binding document. China has really expressed its stance on many negotiating occasions and as I said just now, very clearly, we accept a legally binding arrangement, with conditions," said Xie, who led a Chinese delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa.
Caixin Online 5/12/2011
- China Raises Electricity Prices
- The NDRC, China's top economic planning body, said price increases for retail and on-grid electricity prices will not extend to the majority of household power consumption
- 12.01.2011
XinHua News 5/12/2011
China on course to double wind power generation capacity
BEIJING, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's wind power generation capacity has neared 40 million kilowatts, and it is under way to meet the goal of doubling the figure by 2015, according to an industry report.
During the first ten months this year, wind turbines generated 58.3 billion kilowatt-hours, an increase of 57 percent year-on-year, accounting for 1.5 percent of the nation's total electricity output, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission said in a latest report.
China Daily 5/12/2011
Wild tigers may vanish in 20 years
BEIJING - The last remaining Siberian tigers living wild in Northeast China could disappear within decades, as poaching and illegal logging continue to take their toll, experts have warned.
Research by Chinese authorities and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has discovered that the animal is already one of the planet's most endangered species.
In just the last 70 years, the estimated population of Siberian tigers, or Amur tigers, has plummeted from as many as 300 to just 18 to 22.
People's Daily 5/12/2011
China strives to standardize rare earth market
China has made great strides since a campaign that targets illegal rare earth exploitation, rare earth smuggling and excessive exploitation was launched by three central government departments on Nov. 10
Solar producers fully prepared for US ruling
BEIJING - Chinese photovoltaic (PV) solar companies are well-prepared for the preliminary ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that these enterprises are harming the US industry.
CCTV 2/12/2011
People's Daily 2/12/2011
China may adopt emission limit
DURBAN / BEIJING - China is likely to agree to a quantified target to limit its greenhouse gas emissions after 2020, said a senior expert with a government think tank.
But this depends on the outcome of climate change negotiations and China's level of development by that time, said Xu Huaqing, a researcher from the Energy Research Institute affiliated with the National Development and Reform Commission, the government body that oversees climate change issues in China.
This is the first time that China has mentioned a possible timetable regarding its greenhouse gas emissions.
People's Daily 1/12/2011
Hot air: Chinese experts talk global warming
The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the seventh session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol kicked off in Durban, South Africa on Nov. 28.
The People's Daily interviewed several climate experts on certain hot topics at the Durban climate change conference.
China Themes
Yuan Revaluation & Internationalisation
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Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.
Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages
Chapter One
Zanzibar
'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'
Their souls danced, honouring his promise.
The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white.
Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul.
Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black.
A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on.
Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her.
Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly.
The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.
London 1910
“Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?”
The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly.
Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.”
“Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.”
“I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan.
He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.”
Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire.
Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms.
“Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.”
As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body.
Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?”
“Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.”
Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair.
They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday.
“I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.”
Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford.
It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.
Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life.
She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........
The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air.......
“Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!”
Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless.
The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull.
The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib
…………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry.
“Salaam.”
The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.
Now Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages
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